Day to Day Maintenance Ideas for Marble and Other Stone Surfaces

Marble tiles and worktops are amazing home decor items and they add class and substance to any room in your home. However, one has to be very careful about the maintenance of marble surfaces. Marble is a very delicate and soft stone, and as it’s porous, it is easily etched by liquids such as vinegar, tomato juice, wine, orange juice, etc containing acids.

Use only pH neutral cleaning solutions to clean your marble surfaces – remember, never use vinegar to clean marble.  To clean the marble countertop or floors, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing three tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Dip a cloth piece into the solution, wet thoroughly, then wring out and wipe the marble surfaces. Applying a little elbow grease on stubborn spots may help, but never use an abrasive cleaner. Allow the surface to air dry for about two hours. Wipe with clear water to rinse and then use a clean soft absorbent cloth to dry it off.

Oil and tomato spillage is removed with a sponge, warm soapy water and a little hydrogen peroxide. For day-by-day cleaning of marble floors, we recommend dust-mopping with a microfiber mop or soft cloth, and use plain hot water if you need to get rid of any marks or spots.

Immediately wipe off any spills as they will harm the marble surface. Never use strong cleaning products available in the market for removing stains on marble as it may further damage the area with discolouration. Here is a homemade cleaner you can safely use on your delicate marble surfaces. Crush a stick of plain white chalk into fine powder and apply it on to the marble surface. Apply it smoothly and make sure to overlap each stroke. Let it remain there for a few minutes and then rinse it off with a wet rag. If there are deep stains on the marble floor or countertop, get professional help to remove them.

The bathroom marble floors can be cleaned with a sponge, dish soap and water. It’s good to clean the marble floor and shower surrounds when leaving wet glasses or shampoo bottles sitting too long. Wash the marble tiles once in a week using a neutral pH cleaner. However, if your marble tile is extensively stained or etched, it’s advisable to call in a company that specialises in marble and other stone restoration. Restoration of polished marble involves the removal of dark spots, stains, scratches or damages from the surface of the stone by means of mechanical abrasion (diamond grinding).

While cleaning a marble surface, use a mop or cleaning cloth that is not impregnated with anything and ideally free of polish, cleaners, waxes or oils. And for the cleaning products to be used on the marble surface, get some advice from the experts like The Marble Man in Australia.

The Marble Man Stone Restoration Techniques: Professional Cleaning & Sealing

As there are such a large variety of cleaning materials available in the market place and as each stone surface may present a unique problem, we require  professional approach to solve the stone cleaning issues.

We can use mainly three methods of stone cleaning to achieve the desired result; these are chemical, abrasion, and heat.

Below are some of the stone restoration services ( pertaining to natural Stone Cleaning) which we can offer:

•     Wax removal
•     Grout cleaning
•     Tile cleaning
•     Builders cleans of tiles
•     Soap Scum Removal
•     Mould removal
•     Driveway cleaning
•     Car park cleaning
•     Hi-Pressure water Cleaning
•     Hot water (100 degrees C) hi pressure water cleaning

Sealing of Marble and Stone Benchtops, Floors and Bathrooms

Marble or stone surfaces need to be protected to keep their natural beauty. Sealing is a must have investment in the future longevity of your new or existing marble or stone floor or benchtop.

Marble and other stone surfaces are porous and require sealing to prevent staining that cannot be removed.  By sealing the stone surfaces you will extent the life of your floor, benchtop or bathroom for many years to come. 

At The Marble Man we use several different sealers to protect your marble or stone floors, benchtops and bathrooms. We offer a huge range of sealing products to produce a long lasting stone surface that you will enjoy for years to come. You can find with us a high quality sealing product for all your stone surfaces: wet look enhancing sealers; penetrating sealer for marble, limestone, travertine, natural granite, sandstone, and concrete.

For professional cleaning, polishing and sealing of your costly natural stone surfaces, call The Marble Man team today on 1300 627 626. You can also send us snapshots of your dsamaged or dull stone surfaces through our Website.

Marble and Other Natural Stones Increasingly Used in Fashionable Australian House Designs

Marble and natural stones play an important role in traditional and modern interior design of Australian homes and offices. Their reflective shine and natural lustre have become a centerpiece of all beautiful home designs.

Stone surfaces assume a major role in any home decor. Granite and marble surfaces for kitchens, baths and floors are still a top pick with today's home buyers. The kitchen and bath stone projects play a significant position as they are the final step in the renovation process.  Whether the material used is marble, natural stone or man-made material, the countertop holds the whole look together. The installation of the countertop is normally the most exciting part of renovation as it is like giving final touch to a beautiful painting.  

As reports of global warming pour in, the green living concept is widely accepted in home decor. Marble and natural stones are stylish and also eco-friendly. Granite, Marble, Limestone, and other natural stones are used in Kitchen Countertops, Bathroom Vanity Tops, Fireplace Surrounds, Outdoor Kitchens, Furniture Tops, Thresholds, Shower Seats, and Sills etc.

And lastly, stones are effectively used to enhance the outdoor landscape also. Stone flooring on patios, stepping stone pathways etc. can be great additions to your outdoor decoration.

The Marble Man is Australia's Number One Marble, Granite, Travertine, Stone Benchtop and Tile Restoration Specialist. They will do their very best to provide you with professional, 5 star maintenance service and effective stone care solutions.

Marble or stone surfaces need to be protected to keep their natural beauty. Sealing, polishing and cleaning are to be carried out professionally, applying latest techniques and technology. The Marble Man technicians will repair or restore your precious stone with great care and will make every effort to return your stone surface to its natural looking best.

Contact them now:

FREECALL 1300 627 626

EMAIL: info@themarbleman.com.au

Keywords used in this article: cleaning marble floor in Sydney, marble decor Australia, home decor Australia, marble stone restoration Brisbane, granite cleaning Gold Coast, 

Ask the Experts and Get to Know Your Stone for Ideal Preventative Stone Care

It’s good to have some understanding of the geological classification and composition of natural stone surfaces for you to select the proper cleaning products and follow the correct maintenance procedures. Be in touch with reputable stone care professionals in Australia to know the characteristics of natural stone- its limitations and usual longevity, precautions to avoid wear and damage, whether it is soft, hard, porous or easily scratched and what chemicals will affect it.

Your stone surfaces – marble or other natural stone - should be treated on a daily and long-term basis and they also need professional resealing, repolishing or deep cleaning to get the longest life and preserve the beauty.

Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. Have your stone surface professionally sealed once it has been installed. Sealing with a penetrating sealer which soaks into the stone will help prevent staining, will reduce a build up of moisture and will allow easier cleaning. Topical sealers that rest on top of the stone can encourage moisture to accumulate under the surface and can change the look of the stone and are therefore not recommended.

Avoid placing acidic or chemical products on the stone as these can etch or stain (especially marble and limestone) the stone surface. Wine, juice, vinegar, milk, tea and coffee can etch some stone surfaces so the use of coasters is recommended. Soil and water trapped under pot plants can cause mildew and staining. High alkaline products such as soap, shampoo, perfume and aftershave can stain or etch. All spills must be cleaned up immediately.

Use a clean cotton cloth or mop to clean or polish the stone surface as these are gentle on stone and will not scratch it. The Microfibre Mop is ideal. If scouring is necessary, use only professionally recommended scouring products such as the Scrub-a-dub, and follow the directions given by The Marble Man stone care professionals. Using other scourers will scratch the stone and remove the glossy surface. Change the water regularly when using rinsing cloths.

Avoid wearing shoes on polished surfaces as even the smallest amount of grit on the bottom of a shoe will scratch a stone surface. Removal of shoes will prolong the life of a polished floor. If this is not possible then a good quality doormat is recommended to remove as much excess dirt and grit as possible. It takes up to 4 steps on each foot to remove grit from the bottom of shoes.

Place soft pads under furniture such as felt, as any slight movement of furniture, especially chairs, will cause scratching on the stone surface. Clean felt pads will help avoid this. Always lift furniture when moving it and DO NOT drag. Chairs are the biggest cause of damage to stone floors when they do not have pads on the bottom of the legs.

The Marble Man Advantage 

The natural stone surfaces used in your home or property make it stand apart from the rest by adding to its elegance and resale value. However, a dull looking stone tile will badly affect the look and feel of a room decor. Your stone deserves to be looking its best, and The Marble Man can give you a FREE Stone Care Evaluation. Take the frustration out of cleaning your dull, stained or worn marble floors today; give the experts a call today on 1300 627 626. You may also visit their website and send them some pictures of your stone tiles that need servicing.

Well Maintained Marble Makes Your Home or Property Stand Apart from the Rest

Marble is often used in flooring to enhance the home decor. With all its whirling patterns and shade variations, the marble surface has a refreshing and inspirational look and feel, that no other material (concrete, wood etc.) can claim.  But one thing to keep in mind that while laying the marble tiles, one should always use matching patterns on the floors, walls etc. While replacing a marble tile, it is very important to use one from the same original batch.

Marble, like most natural stone tiles, needs quality maintenance. It must be sealed and cleaned regularly with the help of professionals such as The Marble Man. Our top-notch restoration procedures bring out the beauty and detail in marble surfaces.

For sealing, The Marble Man team uses several different sealers to protect your marble floors. Sealing is a must have investment in the future longevity of your new or existing marble floor. We offer a huge range of sealing products to suit your requirements; featuring: Wet look enhancing sealers; Penetrating sealer for marble, limestone, travertine; Penetrating sealer for natural granite; Penetrating sealers for sandstone; Penetrating sealers for concrete.

For cleaning your marble surface, use only a mild detergent solution (a pH-neutral dish soap or clear ammonia diluted with water) or better go for a Marble Man product specially designed for marble. We use advanced cleaning methods involving chemical, abrasion, and heat treatment.

Never set your drink down on a marble surface (it will leave a stain if the marble surface was not sealed) and wipe up any spills immediately as they can stain or etch your costly marble because it has a porous surface. Marble is much softer than granite and wears down much easier as well. Handle it with care!

Honing & Polishing: Marble floors with high-traffic areas eventually turn dull when natural crystal patterns within the stone erode from abrasion of dirt, sand and shoes. Honing is a mix of repair and polishing done on a marble surface to bring back its sheen.

Polishing gives marble its luster and for that The Marble Man uses the cleaning, repairing and honing procedures. We use the latest diamond abrasive technology, polishing compounds and a dustless grinding system to return the beautiful natural reflection, and smooth finish to your marble. 

Your stone floor is what makes your home or property stand apart from the rest so it deserves to be looking its best. Take the frustration out of cleaning your dull, stained or worn marble floors today.  We will come and give you a FREE Stone Care Evaluation valued around $300. Don’t let anyone else touch your floor; it deserves the best professional stone care in the market! Call now: 1300 627 626, or send us some snaps of your stone surface through our Website.